Lockheed Martin Completes Production of Initial F‑16 Block 70 Fleets for Bulgaria and Slovakia

Rhea-AI Summary

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) completed production of the initial F-16 Block 70 fleets for Bulgaria and Slovakia on Dec. 15, 2025, with aircraft built at the Greenville, South Carolina final assembly line and accepted via DD250 under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

The Block 70 jets include APG-83 AESA radar (95% software, 70% hardware commonality with F-35), conformal fuel tanks, a modern digital cockpit, 12,000-hour service life, and Auto GCAS. The program leverages a global supply chain of >530 suppliers in 12 countries, supports >1,500 skilled U.S. jobs, and connects Bulgaria and Slovakia into NATO interoperable operations and European sustainment networks.

Positive

• Production completed for Bulgaria and Slovakia initial F-16 Block 70 fleets on Dec. 15, 2025
• APG-83 AESA radar with 95% software and 70% hardware commonality with F-35
• Aircraft rated for a 12,000-hour service life
• Program uses >530 suppliers across 12 countries
• Supports >1,500 skilled jobs at Greenville final assembly line
• Adds access to >700 F-16s sustainment network in Europe

Negative

• Final assembly concentrated at the single active F-16 production line in Greenville, creating a production concentration risk

Key Figures

Allied F‑16 operators 29 operators Number of allied operators sharing common F‑16 mission sets

European F‑16 fleet More than 700 F‑16s Existing F‑16 aircraft in Europe referenced for interoperability

Global suppliers More than 530 suppliers Size of F‑16 program supply chain across 12 countries

Supplier countries 12 countries Number of countries contributing suppliers to F‑16 program

F‑16 service life 12,000‑hour service life Stated service life of the F‑16 Block 70 aircraft

Jobs supported Over 1,500 jobs Skilled jobs supported by Greenville F‑16 production activities

Market Reality Check

$484.42 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,364,177 is near the 20-day average of 1,390,300, suggesting typical pre-news activity. normal

Technical Shares at $480.25 were trading above the 200-day MA of $464.84, and about 6.9% below the $516 52-week high.

Peers on Argus 1 Up

LMT was up 1.13% while key aerospace & defense peers were mixed: NOC (+1.17%), BA (+1.08%), HWM (+0.07%), versus GD (−0.99%) and TDG (−1.92%). The diversified moves point to company-specific factors rather than a uniform sector rotation.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 11	AI initiative launch	Positive	+1.5%	Astris AI for Government initiative to accelerate secure AI in public sector.
Dec 10	Facility expansion	Positive	+0.2%	Advancing construction of new NGI missile assembly building in Alabama.
Dec 04	AI demo flight	Positive	+0.3%	AI-driven mission contingency management demo with autonomous UAVs.
Nov 26	Investor conference	Positive	+0.4%	CFO participation in Goldman Sachs Industrials and Materials 2025 conference.
Nov 19	UAS control test	Positive	-1.0%	F-22 pilot commanding an uncrewed aerial system via cockpit interface.

Pattern Detected

Recent LMT headlines—ranging from AI initiatives to facility expansions and demonstrations—have generally seen modest single-day moves, usually small positive reactions, with one notable negative divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the past few weeks, LMT has highlighted multiple capability and infrastructure milestones. On Nov 19, a human‑machine teaming demo with an F‑22 and UAS drew a -1.01% move despite its technological significance. Subsequent news on a Goldman Sachs conference (Nov 26), AI-driven UAV autonomy (Dec 4), AI for government solutions (Dec 11), and construction progress on an NGI facility (Dec 10) all saw modest gains between 0.22% and 1.48%. Today’s F‑16 Block 70 completion fits this pattern of steady, capability-focused progress.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement marks completion of Bulgaria and Slovakia’s initial F‑16 Block 70 fleets, adding advanced fighters with APG‑83 AESA radar, a 12,000‑hour service life, and interoperability with 29 allied operators and more than 700 European F‑16s. The program draws on over 530 suppliers in 12 countries and supports over 1,500 jobs in Greenville. Investors may watch how this milestone translates into follow-on orders, sustainment revenue, and utilization of the broader transatlantic industrial network.

Key Terms

foreign military sales regulatory

"completed DD250 final acceptance through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program."

Foreign military sales are transactions where one country sells military equipment, technology, or services to another country. These sales often involve government agreements and can influence international relationships and stability. For investors, understanding foreign military sales can indicate geopolitical stability and potential shifts in defense-related industries or government spending.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

F-16 platform strengthens national defense, deepens NATO and allied air integration

GREENVILLE, S.C., Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has completed production of all F‑16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia's initial fleets, equipping both air forces with advanced F-16s ready for NATO and allied operations.

The aircraft were produced at Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, and completed DD250 final acceptance through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program.

Why it matters
Full F-16 Block 70 fleets give Bulgaria and Slovakia the capability to provide national air defense and support NATO air policing with a modern, fully interoperable fighter. The aircraft connect directly to NATO systems and support the same mission sets already flown by F-16 operators across Europe.

These aircraft are integral to both nations' defense modernization plans and align their air forces with the training, standards and operational practices used by 29 allied operators. That common framework improves readiness, strengthens the alliance's posture and increases the number of interoperable aircraft available for NATO missions.

Expert perspectives
Mike Shoemaker, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Integrated Fighter Group:

"This milestone represents the talent and dedication of the joint government, military and industry teams. With full F‑16 Block 70 fleets now produced, both nations move from planning for next‑generation airpower to demonstrating it in daily operations. This progress enhances NATO's collective readiness and provides commanders with reliable, interoperable 21st Century Security capability across the alliance."

Advanced capability, proven platform
The F‑16 Block 70 features the APG‑83 AESA radar, which shares 95% software commonality and 70% hardware commonality with the F‑35 radar. The aircraft also includes conformal fuel tanks, a modern digital cockpit, a 12,000‑hour service life and the life‑saving Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).

These systems support the full range of air policing, air defense and joint exercise missions flown by F-16 operators across Europe. With more than 700 F-16s in Europe and a global sustainment network already in place, Bulgaria and Slovakia gain access to established training pipelines, proven logistics support and a broad community of operators that help ensure high availability and efficient long-term maintenance.

Transatlantic industrial partnership
The F‑16 program is powered by a global supply chain of more than 530 suppliers across 12 countries, including a strong network of European partners. Companies such as LOTN in Slovakia and Avionams in Bulgaria contribute to this ecosystem and reflect Europe's growing role in the collaborative industrial base that supports NATO readiness.

With final assembly and other component manufacturing taking place at Lockheed Martin's Greenville, S.C. facility – the world's only active F-16 production line – the program supports over 1,500 skilled jobs and preserves strategic fighter production capacity in the United States.

The F-16 program reinforces transatlantic industrial cooperation sustaining advanced U.S. manufacturing capability while generating economic value, supply chain opportunity and long‑term industrial participation across Europe. By strengthening industrial base cooperation, the F-16 program promotes resilience, supports shared security goals, and helps allied nations maintain modern, interoperable fighter capabilities.

About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security^® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at www.Lockheedmartin.com. 

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

FAQ

What did Lockheed Martin (LMT) announce on Dec. 15, 2025 about F-16 Block 70 production?

Lockheed Martin announced completion of production for Bulgaria and Slovakia's initial F-16 Block 70 fleets, with DD250 final acceptance under U.S. Foreign Military Sales.

How does the F-16 Block 70's APG-83 radar compare to the F-35 for LMT's Block 70 jets?

The APG-83 AESA radar on Block 70 shares 95% software commonality and 70% hardware commonality with the F-35 radar.

What operational benefits do Bulgaria and Slovakia gain from LMT's delivered F-16 Block 70 jets?

They gain modern, NATO-interoperable fighters for national air defense, air policing, joint exercises, and access to established European training and sustainment pipelines.

Where were the F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia assembled for LMT?

Final assembly and production took place at Lockheed Martin's Greenville, South Carolina facility, the world's only active F-16 production line.

What industrial and job impacts did Lockheed Martin cite for the F-16 Block 70 program?

The program involves >530 suppliers in 12 countries and supports over 1,500 skilled jobs at the Greenville final assembly line.

What is the expected service life and safety feature of LMT's F-16 Block 70?

The Block 70 carries a 12,000-hour service life rating and includes the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).